Ep 14. Wasichu

Detectives Goren and Eames are back on the case in Law & Order: Criminal Intent season 5 episode 14, titled "Wasichu." The episode kicks off with the murder of a Native American who was found brutally beaten to death in his own home. As the detectives begin to investigate, they uncover a complicated web of family secrets and long-buried animosities that may have contributed to the victim's death.

The victim, a member of the Sioux tribe who lives on a reservation, was last seen alive by his brother-in-law, a white man who had married into the family. Suspecting foul play, Goren and Eames waste no time in questioning the brother-in-law, who initially tries to downplay his relationship with the victim. However, the detectives eventually uncover evidence that suggests the man may have been involved in a heated argument with the victim shortly before the murder.

As the investigation heats up, Goren and Eames delve deeper into the victim's family dynamics, including his strained relationship with his sister, who had been married to the brother-in-law for many years. It seems that the sister and her husband were part of a larger group of white settlers who had moved onto the reservation and engendered a great deal of resentment among the native population. The victim had been one of the most vocal critics of this encroachment, and it appeared that tensions between him and his family had been escalating for some time.

Throughout the course of the episode, Goren and Eames navigate a complex web of suspects and motives, including a shady real estate developer who was looking to capitalize on the land around the reservation, as well as a radical Native American activist who may have had his own reasons for wanting the victim out of the way. As the detectives sift through the evidence and talk to witnesses, they start to put the pieces together and paint a picture of what really happened on the night of the murder.

One of the most striking aspects of "Wasichu" is the way in which it explores issues of race and identity within the context of the Native American community. Through interviews with various characters, the episode examines the complex legacy of colonialism and settler expansion, as well as the ongoing struggle for sovereignty and self-determination that many indigenous peoples face to this day. At its core, the episode is a powerful meditation on the relationship between history, culture, and power, and the various ways in which these forces can shape individual lives and communities.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Law & Order episode without some good old-fashioned detective work, and "Wasichu" does not disappoint in that regard. From the interview rooms to the crime scene, Goren and Eames are on their game, using their expertise and intuition to piece together the clues and get to the truth. Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, from shady businessmen to fiery activists to distraught family members, all of whom have their own agendas and secrets to protect.

Overall, Law & Order: Criminal Intent season 5 episode 14 is a tense, thought-provoking, and expertly crafted installment of the long-running crime drama. With its layered characters, intricate plot, and socially relevant themes, it offers a poignant glimpse into the complicated dynamics of contemporary America, and the ongoing struggles for justice and healing that define so much of our national narrative.